Suitable ratio of dietary L-carnitine and α-ketoglutarate improves growth and health performance in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

L-carnitine (LC) and α-Ketoglutarate (AKG) are important growth promoters used in aquafeed. The study aimed to evaluate the incorporation of LC and AKG at different ratios in the diet of tilapia (initial weight 1.38 ± 0.03 g) in order to facilitate lipid utilization and protein synthesis. Fish were fed six isonitrogenous (~ 30 g/100 g CP) and isolipidic (~ 6 g/100 g CL) diets containing graded LC/AKG ratios of 0 (Control), 0.11, 0.42, 1.00, 2.33 and 9.00 in six treatments for 60 days. Fish fed with LC/AKG ratios 2.33 and 9.00 showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentage weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio. Feed conversion ratio in fish-fed diets with LC/AKG ratio 9.00 improved significantly (p < 0.05) than other treatments. The whole-body protein content of tilapia and digestive enzyme activity were significantly higher with higher weight gain. The body lipid content was significantly lower in the LC/AKG ratio 9.00. The liver antioxidant parameters and activity of the immune components were significantly higher in the LC/AKG ratio 9 group. The lower serum triglyceride and cholesterol level was also recorded in LC/AKG ratio 9 group. The histology of the intestine and liver showed increased villi area and decreased lipid droplets, respectively, in tilapia fed with higher LC/AKG ratios. It was concluded from the above results that the higher LC and lower AKG (LC/AKG ratio 9.00) combination attributed maximum lipid utilization and higher protein efficiency and thus better growth performance in tilapia. This was also reflected in activity of digestive enzymes, antioxidant enzymes and immune status in tilapia.

Alkoxy glycerol enhanced activity of Oxyresveratrol in Alzheimer's disease by rescuing Tau protein.

Alzheimer's disease perpetually demands enormous research on the development of effective treatment strategies. The present study aims to define the role of Oxyresveratrol (OXY) alone and in combination with Alkoxy glycerols (AKG) to reduce Tau protein level and improve the climbing behaviour of Drosophila fly models expressed with human-Tau protein. Oxyresveratrol, a polyphenolic stilbene, possesses a wide range of biological activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Nevertheless, chemical instability and low solubility of OXY in aqueous solutions reduce its bioavailability and hinder it from exerting neuroprotective activities. An inclusion complex of OXY with ß- cyclodextrin (CD) (OXY-CD complex) was employed in the study for increased dissolution rate and oral availability of OXY. Fish oils and their derivatives have a plethora of applications in in vivo biological activities. Herein, we also remark on the role of AKG in reducing Tau protein level in flies by enhancing OXY-CD activity. Dietary supplementation of OXY-CD together with AKG improved the learning and memory abilities during the climbing assay in Tau flies. The study highlights OXY-CD and AKG as neuroprotective agents and put forward a plausible approach towards the increased permeability of pharmacological agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for the central nervous system elicited by AKG.

Study on the impacts of chemical and green synthesized (Leucas aspera and oxy-cyclodextrin complex) dietary zinc oxide nanoparticles in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The present study was designed to evaluate the health effects of dietary nanozinc prepared by two methods: conventional chemical method and green method. The parameters evaluated were the extent of bioaccumulation, antioxidant status, histological, immunological changes and DNA damage in Nile tilapia fed nanozinc feed. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were first prepared by green and chemical methods. Before feed preparation, the in vitro antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of both types of nanoparticle solutions were tested and the results revealed enhanced activities in green synthesized ZnO NP solution. After the acclimatization period, 420 Nile tilapias were distributed randomly into 21 glass tanks with 20 fish per tank in triplicates. Fish were fed control diet without any ZnO NP and (i) GT1-green synthesized ZnO NP diet at 100 mg/kg, (ii) CT1-chemically synthesized ZnO NP diet at 100 mg/kg, (iii) GT2-green synthesized ZnO NP diet at 200 mg/kg, (iv) CT2-chemically synthesized ZnO NP diet at 200 mg/kg, (v) GT3-green synthesized ZnO NP diet at 400 mg/kg and (vi) CT3-chemically synthesized ZnO NP diet at 400 mg/kg for 60 days. After 60 days, gill and liver samples were collected for analysing oxidative stress, histopathological alterations and bioaccumulation of zinc, whereas serum samples were collected for evaluating immune response. The results revealed that the GT3 diet significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the level of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx, GR and GSH) than dietary nanozinc prepared by the chemical method. Similarly, the innate immunological parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) augmented in fish fed GT3 diet. Comparative histological study of liver and gill tissues revealed normal architecture in the tissues of fish fed green synthesized NP-enriched feed, whereas the tissues of fish fed chemically synthesized NP feed exhibited histological alterations. Bioaccumulation of zinc was more in the liver followed by the muscle and least in the gills and DNA damage was more evident in fish fed chemically synthesized ZnO NP-enriched feed. In conclusion, the results suggest that the inclusion of 400 mg/kg GT3 diet in fish diet enhanced the level of antioxidant enzymes, boosted immune response and did not cause histological damage to organs, and therefore, GT3 nanofeed can be recommended for fish health improvement.

Modulation of mucosal parameters, innate immunity, growth and resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae by enrichment of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diet with Leucas aspera.

The present study aimed at evaluating the possible effects of Leucas aspera as immunostimulant on mucosal and serum immunity, as well as on growth and resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. In a 45 days trial, fish were fed experimental diets containing L. aspera 0 g kg-1 (Diet 1- control), 1 g kg-1 (Diet 2), 2 g kg-1(Diet 3), 4 g kg-1 (Diet 4) and 8 g kg-1 (Diet 5). The results revealed a significant increase in the specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), and final weight (FW) in fish fed diet 3 (2 g kg-1) of L. aspera compared to the control and other supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Also, feeding on diet 3 (2 g kg-1) of L. aspera enriched diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased lysozyme activities in the serum and mucus, serum peroxidase and phagocytosis activity. However, significant (P < 0.05) increase in mucus peroxidase activity was reported in fish fed diet 4 (4 g kg-1) and diet 5 (8 g kg-1) of L. aspera, whereas significantly higher (P < 0.05) alternative complement activity was reported in fish fed diet 2 (1 g kg-1) of L. aspera. At the end of the experiment, nine fish per replication were selected for a challenge test against S. agalactiae. The dietary supplementation of L. aspera significantly reduced the mortality rate and increased the resistance of Nile tilapia following by challenge with S. agalactiae. The highest post challenge survival of 100% was observed in tilapia fed diet 5 (8 g kg-1) following by 92.6% of RPS in fish fed diet 4 (4 g kg-1) and 88.9% in diet 3 (2 g kg-1), 77.8% in diet 2 (1 g kg-1) and 74.1% in diet 1(0 g kg-1).

Effect of alkoxy glycerol on growth performance, immune response and disease resistance in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Fish oil and their compounds derived from the same have immense applications in the improvement of health, brain development, enhancing immunity etc. This study aimed at the supplementation of such a compound alkoxy glycerol derived from shark liver oil in fish diet and thereby analyzing growth as well as immune parameters of Oreochromis niloticus. 400 fishes were distributed into 11 glass tanks, and then fishes were weighed before starting the experiment. (Average weight was found to be 5.3 ±â€¯0.10 g). Feed was prepared using alkoxy glycerol in the doses like 5, 10, 15 g kg-1 Fishes were fed with the prepared diet for 30 days and growth parameters like specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. On the 30th day, fishes were challenged with 0.1 ml of normal saline solution containing 107 CFUml-1 of Aeromonas hydrophila and disease resistance was monitored. After 30 days of post challenge observation, immunological and lipid peroxidation assays like alternative complement (ACH50), phagocytosis (PI), respiratory burst activities (RB), and serum lysozyme (SL) were performed.

Protective efficacy of Shilajit enriched diet on growth performance and immune resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in Oreochromis mossambicus.

We investigated the effects of dietary enriched with Shilajit in three dose levels: 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 g kg-1 in the basal diet on growth rate, non-specific immune response, and disease resistance for 60 days in Oreochromis mossambicus against an opportunist pathogen, Aeromonas hydrophila. The results showed that the Shilajit enriched diets at 4.0 and 6.0 g kg-1 diets significantly (p < 0.05) enhance survival rate, weight gain (WG), protein efficiency ratio (PER), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency (FE), whereas it significantly decrease the feed conversion ratio (FCR) from weeks 1-4 when compared with control. The innate immune parameters, such as the phagocytic, complement, respiratory burst, and lysosome activities in infected fish fed with all Shilajit enriched diet were significantly (p < 0.05) enhances on weeks 2-4. A very low cumulative mortality, 8.0% and 12.0% were observed in the infected fish fed with 4.0 and 6.0 g kg-1 Shilajit enriched diets, whereas 18% mortality was found with 2 g kg-1 diet. In conclusion, 4.0 and 6.0 g kg-1 Shilajit enriched diets significantly increased the growth performance, innate immune response, and disease resistance in O. mossambicus against A. hydrophila infection.

Effects of orange peels derived pectin on innate immune response, disease resistance and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultured under indoor biofloc system.

The present study investigates the effects of orange peels derived pectin (OPDP) on skin mucus and serum immune parameters, disease resistance and growth performance of O. niloticus cultured under indoor biofloc system. Six hundred Nile tilapia (average weight 9.09 ±â€¯0.05 g) were distributed into 15 fiber tanks (300 L per tank) assigned to five treatments repeated in triplicate. Fish were fed experimental diets contain different levels OPDP as follows: 0 (control in clear water), 0 (control in biofloc system), 5, 10, and 20 g kg-1 OPDP for 8 weeks. At weeks 4 and 8 post feeding, skin mucus lysozyme (SMLA), peroxidase activities (SMPA), serum lysozyme (SL), serum peroxidase (SP), alternative complement (ACH50), phagocytosis (PI), and respiratory burst activities (RB) as well specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. Also, resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae was assessed after 8 weeks post-feeding. Nile tilapia fed OPDP supplemented diets had significantly higher SMLA and SMPA compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The maximum values were observed in tilapia fed 10 g kg-1 OPDP followed by 5 and 20 g kg-1 OPDP. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed between these two supplemented diets and between the control groups (P > 0.05). Regarding the serum immunological parameters, dietary inclusion of 10 g kg-1 OPDP showed significant higher SL and PI than other supplemented groups and control groups (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in SL and PI of fish fed 5 and 20 g kg-1 OPDP (P > 0.05). Dietary administration of OPDP significantly increased SP and ACH50 compared to the controls (P < 0.05), regardless of inclusion level. Additionally, non-significant change was found in RB of OPDP fed fish when compared with the controls (P > 0.05). The challenge test revealed that relative percent of survival (RPS) in OPDP treatments were 45.45%, 81.82%, 50%, respectively. The highest RPS was noticed in fish fed 10 g kg-1 OPDP. Furthermore, dietary administration of OPDP significantly improved SGR, WG, FW, and FCR (P < 0.05). Overall, the present findings suggested that OPDP can be taken into account as functional feed additives for O. niloticus.

Marine derived bioactive compounds for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD ) is mounting as social and economic encumbrance which are accompanied by deficits in cognition and memory. Over the past decades, Alzheimer's disease (AD) holds the frontline as one of the biggest healthcare issues in the world. AD is an age related neurodegenerative disorder marked by a decline in memory and an impairment of cognition. Inspite of tedious scientific effort, AD is still devoid of pharmacotherapeutic strategies for treatment as well as prevention. Current treatment strategies using drugs are symbolic in nature as they treat disease manifestation though are found effective in treating cognition. Inclination of science towards naturopathic treatments aiming at preventing the disease is highly vocal. Application of marine-derived bioactive compounds, has been gaining attention as mode of therapies against AD. Inspired by the vastness and biodiversity richness of the marine environment,  role of  marine metabolites in developing new therapies targeting brain with special emphasis to neurodegeneration is heading as an arable field. This review summarizes select-few examples highlighted as therapeutical applications for neurodegenerative disorders with special emphasis on AD.

Effect of ß-1, 3 glucan binding protein based zinc oxide nanoparticles supplemented diet on immune response and disease resistance in Oreochromis mossambicus against Aeromonas hydrophila.

Recently, several immunostimulants such as ß-glucan, microbial and plant products have been used as dietary supplements to combat disease outbreaks in aquaculture. The present study investigates the potential of Portunus pelagicus ß-1, 3 glucan binding protein based zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ppß-GBP-ZnO NPs) supplemented diet on growth, immune response and disease resistance in Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus. The immune-related protein ß-GBP was purified from the haemolymph of P. pelagicus using Sephadex G-100 affinity column chromatography. Ppß-GBP-ZnO NPs was physico- chemically characterized and experimental feed was formulated. Fish were separately fed with commercial diet (control-group I) and Ppß-GBP (group II, III, IV), Ppß-GBP-ZnO NPs (group V, VI, VII), chem-ZnO NPs (VIII, IX, X) mixed diet at the concentration of 0.001%, 0.002% and 0.004% respectively. Triplicate groups of O. mossambicus were fed with experimental diets twice a day for 30 days. Fish receiving Ppß-GBP-ZnO NPs supplemented diet showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in growth performance. Cellular immune responses (myeloperoxidase activity, lysozyme activity and reactive oxygen species activity) and humoral immune responses (complement activity, antiprotease activity and alkaline phosphatase activity) were evaluated at an interval of 15 days during the feeding trial. Results demonstrate that both cellular and humoral immune responses were substantially increased (P < 0.05) in fish fed with 0.004% of Ppß-GBP-ZnO NPs supplemented diet than others. Antibiofilm potential of Ppß-GBP-ZnO NPs against Aeromonas hydrophila was visualized through confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), which reveals reduction in the preformed biofilm thickness to 10 µm  at the concentration of 50 µg/ml. Furthermore, after 30 days of feeding trial, fish were challenged with aquatic fish pathogen A. hydrophila (1 × 107 cells ml-1) through intraperitoneal injection. Challenge study displayed a reduced mortality rate in fish fed with diet containing Ppß-GBP-ZnO NPs. Thus our study suggests that dietary supplementation of Ppß-GBP-ZnO NPs at 0.004% may have a potential effect to enhance the immune system and survival of O. mossambicus.

Protective efficacy of Mucuna pruriens (L.) seed meal enriched diet on growth performance, innate immunity, and disease resistance in Oreochromis mossambicus against Aeromonas hydrophila.

The impact of Mucuna pruriens (L.) seed meal diet on growth performance, innate immune response, and disease resistance in Oreochromis mossambicus against Aeromonas hydrophila is reported for the first time. Infected O. mossambicus was fed with 2 g kg-1, 4 g kg-1, and 6 g kg-1 of M. pruriens seed meal diets significantly increased initial body weight (IBW) and final body weight (FBW) over control, for a period of 4 weeks. At 4 g kg-1 and 6 g kg-1 the enriched diet significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the survival rate, weight gain (WG), protein efficiency ratio (PER), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed efficiency (FE) when compared to the control; besides, from weeks 2-4 these diets significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the complement activity, phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity, and lysosome activity. On being fed with 4 g kg-1 and 6 g kg-1-enriched diets the cumulative mortality was lower (10% and 12%) than with 2 g kg-1 diet (24%). The present investigation suggests that the enriched diet at 4 g kg-1 and 6 g kg-1 improved the growth performance more than that of the control and negative control; it also positively enhanced the innate immunity and disease resistance against A. hydrophilla in O. mossambicus. Hence M. pruriens can be used as a feed additive to stimulate immunity for effective production of economically valuable freshwater fish, O. mossambicus.

Role of Quercetin Benefits in Neurodegeneration.

Neurodegenerative disorders are often life threatening and hired as an economic burden to the health-care system. Nutritional interventions principally involving polyphenols were practiced to arrest or reverse the age-related health disorders. Flavonoids, a class of dietary polyphenols, are rising to superstardom in preventing brain disorders with their potent antioxidant defense mechanism. Quercetin is a ubiquitous flavonoid reported to have all-natural myriad of health benefits. Citrus fruits, apple, onion, parsley, berries, green tea, and red wine comprise the major dietary supplements of quercetin apart from some herbal remedies like Ginkgo biloba. Appositeness of quercetin in reducing risks of neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, allergic disorders, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and arrhythmia, to name a few, is attributed to its highly pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Neurodegeneration, characterized by progressive deterioration of the structure and function of neurons, is crucially accompanied by severe cognitive deficits. Aging is the major risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD) being coequal high hands. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are the key players in triggering neurodegeneration. The upsurge of neurodegenerative disorders is always appalling since there exists a paucity in effective treatment practices. Past few years' studies have underpinned the mechanisms through which quercetin boons the brain health in many aspects including betterment in cognitive output. Undoubtedly, quercetin will be escalating as an arable field, both in scientific research and in pharmacological and clinical applications.

Antioxidant and tumor cell suppression potential of premna serratifolia linn leaf.

Herbal and natural products have been used in folk medicine for centuries throughout the world. There has been renewed interest in screening higher plants for novel biologically active compounds, particularly those that effectively intervene in human ailments in the field of chronic diseases. The present study has been taken up to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity and tumor cell suppression potential of Premna serratifolia leaf in various in vitro model systems. The methanolic extract of P. serratifolia leaf was obtained by soxhlet extraction method. The superoxide radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide radical, hydroxyl radical, DPPH radical and ABTS radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation were determined. The tumor cell suppression cell potential was determined in three different cancer cell lines MCF7 (breast cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer) and A549 (lung cancer) by SRB assay. The study showed that the methanolic extract of P. serratifolia was having free radical scavenging activity against superoxide radical, nitric oxide radical, hydroxyl radical, DPPH radical, ABTS radical and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The IC50 value showed the efficacy was dose dependent. The test extract showed cytotoxic activity against MCF7, HepG2 and A549 cells. The GI50, TGI and LC50 values were determined against each cell line and compared with standard drug Adriamycin. The present study proved the free radical scavenging activity and tumor cell suppression potential of P. serratifolia leaf in the selective in vitro model systems. The further study has to be carried out in the aspects of isolation of functional molecules of the extract.